I play the guitar and once upon a time was a pretty serious pianist (almost majored in music in college instead of psychology and philosophy, a choice that might have meant I'd never be introduced to Buddhism!). I'm sure I'll take up piano again when I have the resources to buy one. But I have a couple of acoustic guitars and they keep the musical itch scratched pretty well. I've written several originals and will probably write more at some point.

I love sports, especially college sports. I watch several games a week.

I'm an avid player and student of poker, specifically Texas Hold'em. I would like to someday become a better chess player as well.

And I love big dogs, I currently have a German Shepherd and will eventually get around to having a Rottie.

What are your interests?

"The serene and peaceful mind is the true epitome of human achievement."-- Ajahn Chah, Living Dhamma

"To reach beyond fear and danger we must sharpen and widen our vision. We have to pierce through the deceptions that lull us into a comfortable complacency, to take a straight look down into the depths of our existence, without turning away uneasily or running after distractions." -- Bhikkhu Bodhi

Apart from practising and studying the dhamma my hobbies are kinda minimal.

Enjoy up on quantum mechanics, astro-physics, history, literature and enjoy music as well. Never been a big fan of sports. Apart from that there isnt much else really, kind of a simple life i have atm lol.

He who binds to himself a joyDoes the wingèd life destroy;But he who kisses the joy as it fliesLives in eternity's sunrise.

i watch dvds with the girlfriend... these days i exercisei write poetryevery so often i make music, and in fact i'm thinking about planning a trip to japan to perform but i'm not sure if it can be leter this year or next. i havent performed in 10 years. i do several different generes of music, i used to play in political, yet poppy, punk bands, i do experimental music ( dark droney noisey stuff) which is what i've been most known for (and what i'd go to japan to do) and i also do indie rock stuff (think 1st LP era jesus and mary chain though the last band i was in sounded sorta like ride) i've done a few film scores and theres a chance i might be in an upcomming sequel in a famous horror film series but i dont wanna talk about that yet for fear of jinxing it. i hang out at my Wat with the monks too, we go hiking in mountains, or watch dhamma dvds thats sort of thing.

สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat

I love watching football, hanging out with my girl, working out, reading, playing with my cats, watching movies, walking the river walk here in San Antonio, playstation 2, going out to eat, going to the mall, meditating, listening to Dhamma talks, dhammwheel and going to see my favorite bands (Children of Bodom).

The heart of the path is SO simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are. That is all I do in my own practice. Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. Of course, there are dozens of meditation techniques to develop samadhi and many kinds of vipassana. But it all comes back to this - just let it all be. Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. - Ajahn Chah

appicchato wrote:Swinging in the hammock...reading Dhamma books...could be worse...

Im jealous. lol.

The heart of the path is SO simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are. That is all I do in my own practice. Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. Of course, there are dozens of meditation techniques to develop samadhi and many kinds of vipassana. But it all comes back to this - just let it all be. Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. - Ajahn Chah

i like reading - Dhamma related, poetry, fiction anything goes really. listening to jazz (Miles especially) and other types of music. forums! visiting friends inside and outside the UK...erm, sure there's more but i can't think of it lol.

Monks, even if bandits were to carve you up savagely, limb by limb, with a two-handled saw, he among you who let his heart get angered even at that would not be doing my bidding.MN 21